MLB Rumors

After a slower than expected start to the season, Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury is finally trending in the right direction. Ellsbury is batting .355 (33 for 93) with a .495 slugging percentage, .923 OPS, three triples, seven doubles, eight RBI, 11 walks, 18 runs and 18 stolen bases in his last 22 games.

"He's swinging the bat and playing as he's shown before he's very capable," manager John Farrell said, per the Boston Herald. "When he gets on base, we're seeing what he's capable of doing. With two outs, he gets on base and could be standing on third in a matter of pitches. What Jacoby gives us is a dynamic guy in that leadoff spot."

Phillies second baseman Chase Utley will begin a rehab assignment Wednesday at Double-A Reading, MLB.com reports.

It's unclear how many games Utley will play at Reading, but a best-case scenario could see him returning to the Phillies by the weekend. Utley was hitting .272/.339/.475 in 158 at-bats before he went down with a strained oblique May 20.

Blue Jays starting pitcher Esmil Rogers continued his transformation Tuesday against the Rockies, winning a second straight start. Rogers is 2-0 with a 1.71 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in four starts since making the transition from reliever to starter.

Rogers had a 4.23 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 23 relief outings.

"His sinker is the biggest difference," catcher J.P. Arencibia said, per the National Post. "Earlier, guys could jump on his fastball. He had a pretty straight fastball, and now he’s sinking it so you really have to respect that. He can sink a right-hander in, and then they have to respect that ball in, and now he’s throwing 96-mile-an-hour fastballs down and away, late, to strike them out."

Rogers isn't short on confidence either.

"I have unbelievable confidence right now," he said. "I can throw any pitch in any count that I want. I know I got ability. If they’re going to hit, they’re going to hit my pitches."

Playing in his first MLB game since May 29, Mariners first baseman Justin Smoak homered in his return to the lineup Tuesday against the Angels. Smoak, who was activated off the 15-day disabled list prior to Tuesday's game, was part of a back-to-back home-run tandem with Raul Ibanez leading off the second inning.

It was Smoak's fourth home run and third in his last nine games. All of Smoak's home runs this season have been solo home runs and Tuesday's homer was his first before the ninth inning. Dating back to April 29, Smoak has a .279 average and .485 slugging percentage in his last 21 games.

Athletics catcher John Jaso homered for just the second time and first time since April 9 during Tuesday's 6-2 win against the Rangers. Jaso continued his strong run in June, hitting safely for the ninth time in 10 games.

Jaso is batting .389 (14 for 36) with one home run, two doubles, six RBI, seven runs and seven walks in June. His batting average has improved from .252 to .281 during his June run.

Athletics first baseman Brandon Moss stayed hot at the plate Tuesday against the Rangers by homering for the fourth time in six games. He also extended his hitting streak to six games.

Moss is batting .357 (10 for 28) with one triple, six runs, seven RBI and 10 strikeouts in his last six games. Prior to his hot streak, Moss hit .132 (7 for 53) over a 24-game stretch from May 14-June 11.

Injured Giants pitcher Ryan Vogelsong had five pins removed from his hand Tuesday as part of his recovery from a fractured pinky, MLB.com reports.

Vogelsong is farther along in his recovery than he expected at this point, and the surgery means he can begin mobility and flexibility exercises with the hand. He is still likely out until the All-Star break or later.

Rangers outfielder Leonys Martin recorded a stolen base Tuesday against the A's for the second straight game and third time in four games. After recording zero stolen bases in his first 32 games, Martin has swiped 11 bags in his last 28 games.

"I love the base running part of the game," Martin said, per ESPN.

Martin has hit safely in four straight games and is batting .364 (8 for 22) in his last seven games. He has one home run, two RBI, two walks, three stolen bases, three doubles and five runs in that span.

Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus sat out for the second time in seven games Tuesday against the Athletics, but it gave him time to assess his offensive struggles. Since a five-hit performance May 18 against the Tigers, Andrus is batting .171 (18 for 105) in his last 26 games, dropping his average to .241.

"I just need to stay back on the ball," Andrus said, per ESPN, "And use my hands."

Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford is expected to miss Wednesday's game against San Diego due to a sprained index and middle finger on his right hand, CSN San Francisco reports.

Crawford was unabled to grip a ball following the injury. The shortstop may be able to return Thursday in the series opener against Miami. Consider him day to day for now.